Arica, Chile

Typical food

Dishes you can't miss

Almejas a la parmesana
Baked clams in their shell seasoned with lemon, butter, and pepper, covered with a Parmesan cheese layer.

Charqui
Dried and salted llama meat that is very traditional in northern Chile.

Leche asada
Typical dessert similar to the flan. It is usually served cold with an aromatic cup of coffee.

Pisco sour
Very popular cocktail in Chile, made with grape liquor and egg white.

Typical food of Arica, Chile

The Creole cuisine in Chile is influenced by indigenous traditions and it features Spanish, German, Italian, and French contributions. Different flavors and traditions are combined in the port of Arica, offering the visitor a delicious experience.

The port of Arica, in the north of Chile, offers delicious dishes based on clams, crabs, squids, and octopus, among other seafood, that can be found at the fishery port. Clams with Parmesan cheese is a very popular dish. The clams are prepared in their shells, seasoned with lemon, butter, and pepper, and covered with tomato and Parmesan cheese. They are baked for four minutes and served with regional olive oil. The coast has been a food source, providing the most delicious fishes including sea bass, sole, conger eel, scad, and grey mullet. All of them provide an exquisite flavor to broths and dishes along with local ingredients including corn, potato, sweet potato, and yucca; and European products such as tomato, green peas, olives, and sweet pepper. The llama meat (a small mammal native from Peru) is eaten dried and salted in a dish known as "Charqui". You can also try "Chairo", a type of soup with a variety of vegetables, llama meat, 'chuño' (dried potato), and corn soaked the day before. After a night party, the local people are used to enjoy "Calapurka", a spicy soup with big potatoes, different kinds of meat (lamb, chicken and llama), carrots, and other vegetables. An ideal dish to get the strength back and continue partying.

For dessert, "Leche asada" is an excellent option. It is prepared with eggs, milk, sugar, and cinnamon. This exquisite dessert is similar to a custard and is served cold with a cup of coffee.

A typical drink of the port is the milk punch, prepared with milk, liquor, cinnamon, clove, and sugar. It is served hot and is commonly enjoyed during the religious festivities and local ceremonies. "Pisco Sour" is a common cocktail in Chile. The classic recipe includes "pisco" (grape liquor), syrup, egg whites, lemon juice, Angostura bitters, ice, and ground cinnamon as garnish.

To delight yourself with any of the delicious dishes offered in Arica, you can visit El Congrio con Agallas, a restaurant serving exquisite seafood specialties.

Weather

Useful Tips

The best months to visit Arica are December through March, as temperatures are a little warmer and the beach is more enjoyable.

We recommend wearing sunscreen constantly to protect yourself from the UV rays.

We suggest you wearing comfortable shoes to avoid getting tired when walking around the city.

The weather in Arica, Chile

Arica has an arid weather due to its location in a desert region where it rarely rains, with a high humidity level and morning cloudiness. The UV radiation level is high between September and April, similar to the Sahara Desert levels. The average annual temperature is 19°C (66.2°F), with maximums of 22°C (72°F) and minimums of 16°C (61° F).

What to bring by season

Fresh season (June through October): the average temperature during the fresh season in Arica is 16 °C (60.8 °F). The maximum and minimum temperatures are 20 °C (68 °F) during the day and 13 °C (55.4 °F) at night in October and July, respectively. There may be scarce rainfalls with 10 mm (0.9 in) in June. The freshest month is July and the most temperate is October. We recommend you bringing a light sweater to wear at night, and bermudas or shorts, T-shirts, flip-flops, a hat or cap, and a bathing suite to wear during the day.
Hot season (November through May): temperatures increase to an average of 19 °C (66.2 °F) during these months in Arica. January and February reach temperatures of 26 °C (78.8 °F) during the day and 20 °C (68 °F) at night. The UV rays are more intense and there are up to 13 hours of daylight. We recommend bringing clothing made of natural fibers that keep you fresh, flip-flops, bermudas, T-shirts, sunglasses, and a hat. Don't forget to bring your bathing suit and to always wear sunscreen.

Overview

About Arica, Chile

Arica is located in the north of Chile, bordering the Pacific Ocean, and is known as the "city of the eternal spring" for its pleasant weather all year long. This region was home to several pre-columbian towns and an important port for silver shipment. Arica is a free port since 1953, which contributed to its economic growth and turned it into a commercial and fishing center. The port of Arica is an import and export center that receives international cruise ships.

The beaches are the main tourist attractions in the city, which has different shapes and features from other cities of Chile. Las Manchas, El Laucho, and Brava are some of the beaches in town. Chinchorro Beach features the boilers of an American ship that was dragged by a seaquake in the 19th century. The city is also an important destination for surfers, especially the area of the former Alacrán Island.

Arica offers several entertainment options and a rich cultural and historic heritage. Morro de Arica is a city icon featuring a great view of the surroundings and a museum. Museo Arqueológico San Miguel de Azapa exhibits the Chinchorro mummies, considered the oldest in the world. Other tourist attractions in Arica include San Marcos de Arica Cathedral, Casa de la Cultura, Museo de Armas, and Museo del Mar.